* ''Literature/HisDarkMaterials'': The Alethiometer ("Truth-meter") is often likened to a golden compass (hence the name of the first book), having four hands and many different symbols around the edges. It is stated to always tell the absolute truth, if one knows how to read it. A question can be posed by pointing at three symbols with the user-controlled hands, and the fourth will then move of its own accord and point at symbols in sequence to deliver the answer. Since each symbol can have dozens of meanings, most people who can read one rely on extensive reference books and can take weeks to decipher an answer to a single question.

* ''Manga/OnePiece:''''Anime/CastleInTheSky'': The way to Laputa is shown when Sheeta accidentally activates her pendant which, in addition to activating a dormant robot that absolutely trashes a military base, shines a beam of light in the direction Laputa is.* ''Manga/OnePiece'':

* The way to ''[[Anime/CastleInTheSky Laputa]]'' is shown when Sheeta accidentally activates her pendant which, in addition to activating a dormant robot that absolutely trashes a military base, shines a beam of light in the direction Laputa is.

* In one of the ''Literature/LordDarcy'' stories, Master Sean enchanted a splinter left behind by a murder weapon and used it to find the rest of the weapon.* In Creator/EEDocSmith's ''Literature/SkylarkSeries'', it was possible to create an "object compass" which, once attuned to something, would always point towards it.* Inverted with the ''Point Me'' spell in ''Literature/HarryPotter'', which uses magic to make the caster's wand briefly [[MundaneUtility point north]].

* In ''Literature/TheScar'', when pirates are on long voyages away from the floating city of Armada, they have compasses that always point to Armada to find their way back.* In ''Literature/TalesOfTheKettyJay'', Grayther Crake makes daemon-bound compasses for the crew of the Ketty Jay that always point towards their captain Darian Fray.

* In ''Literature/TheScar'', when pirates are on long voyages away from the floating city of Armada, they have compasses that always point to Armada to find their way back.* In Creator/EEDocSmith's ''Literature/SkylarkSeries'', it was possible to create an "object compass" which, once attuned to something, would always point towards it.* In ''Literature/TalesOfTheKettyJay'', Grayther Crake makes daemon-bound compasses for the crew of the Ketty Jay that always point towards their captain Darian Fray.

* In an episode of ''Series/TheAdventuresOfBriscoCountyJr'' Socrates is given an object which glows when pointed towards an Orb. (Orbs being the MacGuffin of the HalfArcSeason.)* The ol' Gilbert pocketwatch on TheVampireDiaries was in actuality a vampire detector.

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* In an episode of ''Series/TheAdventuresOfBriscoCountyJr'' Socrates is given an object which glows when pointed towards an Orb. (Orbs being the MacGuffin of the HalfArcSeason.)* The ol' Gilbert pocketwatch on TheVampireDiaries ''Series/TheVampireDiaries'' was in actuality a vampire detector.

* A ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' compass points to the world's player spawn point.* Finding ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland'' and the ghost ship of the undead zombie ghost pirate [=LeChuck=] tends to involve constructing one of these.* ''VideoGame/{{Soulbringer}}'' allowed you two different compasses at the same time: the usual and a magic one that points to [[PortalNetwork hex stones]].

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* A ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' James Lee Quatermain's compass in ''VideoGame/DeadfallAdventures'' points to toward the world's player spawn point.* Finding ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland'' and the ghost ship nearest treasure item, when such an item is close enough. The rest of the undead zombie ghost pirate [=LeChuck=] tends to involve constructing one of these.* ''VideoGame/{{Soulbringer}}'' allowed you two different compasses at time, the same time: needle drifts idly.* Phylacteries, in the usual ''Franchise/DragonAge'' universe, perform this function. Mages in the Circles of Magi are required to give a blood sample when they're first brought to a Circle, and a magic one should that points mage escape or otherwise go missing, the Templars can use the phylactery containing their blood to [[PortalNetwork hex stones]].find them.

* A ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' compass points to the world's player spawn point.* Finding ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland'' and the ghost ship of the undead zombie ghost pirate [=LeChuck=] tends to involve constructing one of these.

* James Lee Quatermain's compass in ''VideoGame/DeadfallAdventures'' points toward the nearest treasure item, when such an item is close enough. The rest of the time, the needle drifts idly.* One item in ''VideoGame/{{Spelunky}}'' is a compass that points to the level exit when it's off-screen. It becomes incredibly useful in area 3 which consists almost entirely of rocks and ice hanging over the yawning abyss.

* Phylacteries, in the ''Franchise/DragonAge'' universe, perform this function. Mages in the Circles of Magi are required to give a blood sample when they're first brought to a Circle, and should that mage escape or otherwise go missing, the Templars can use the phylactery containing their blood to find them.

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* Phylacteries, in ''VideoGame/{{Soulbringer}}'' allowed you two different compasses at the ''Franchise/DragonAge'' universe, perform this function. Mages in same time: the Circles of Magi are required usual and a magic one that points to give [[PortalNetwork hex stones]].* One item in ''VideoGame/{{Spelunky}}'' is a blood sample compass that points to the level exit when they're first brought to a Circle, it's off-screen. It becomes incredibly useful in area 3 which consists almost entirely of rocks and should that mage escape or otherwise go missing, ice hanging over the Templars can use the phylactery containing their blood to find them.yawning abyss.

* In ''WesternAnimation/ThePiratesOfDarkWater,'' Ren has a necklace that shoots a blue beam in the direction of a nearby [[MacGuffin Treasure of Rule]].

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* In ''WesternAnimation/ThePiratesOfDarkWater,'' Ren has a necklace that shoots a blue beam in ''WesternAnimation/{{Birdman}}'' episode "Meets Birdgirl". When the direction villain steals some hydrogen bombs, Birdman uses his "atomic compass" (which is "tuned to the wavelength of a nearby [[MacGuffin Treasure of Rule]].the bombs") to track them down.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Birdman}}'' episode "Meets Birdgirl". When the villain steals some hydrogen bombs, Birdman uses his "atomic compass" (which is "tuned to the wavelength of the bombs") to track them down.

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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Birdman}}'' episode "Meets Birdgirl". When the villain steals some hydrogen bombs, Birdman ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': In [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS3E18TwinSuns "Twin Suns"]], Ezra uses his "atomic compass" (which is "tuned two pieces of the broken holocrons this way, to try and find [[spoiler:Obi-Wan Kenobi. They instead lead him to the wavelength missing piece of the bombs") Sith holocron, which Maul used to track them down.lure him to Tatooine.]]

%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1452266899092104700%% Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread.%%[[quoteright:350:[[Film/TheGoldenCompass http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/golden_compass_17.png]]]]

* In ''Webcomic/MysteryBabylon'', one of the three gifts which Red gives to Zero is a magic compass. Rather than pointing North, it always points towards Heaven's Champion. It also only functions for Zero, burning the hand of anyone else who tries to touch it.

** A non-magnetism example would be Vivre Cards, slips of paper which are linked to a person's life force and can show where they are located. Put the paper on a table or in your hand, and it will move on its own in the general direction of the person it's linked to. Luffy had once for his brother Ace, which he used in his rescue attempt in the Impel Down arc.

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** A non-magnetism example would be Vivre Cards, slips of paper which are linked to a person's life force and can show where they are located. Put the paper on a table or in your hand, and it will move on its own in the general direction of the person it's linked to. Luffy had once one for his brother Ace, which he used in his rescue attempt in the Impel Down arc.

* Inigo Montoya briefly turns his sword into one in ''Film/ThePrincessBride''. He knows the secret entrance to the Pit of Despair is in the grove where he's standing, so he pleads with his dead father to "guide my sword" so he can find it. [[spoiler:The sword sticks itself into a tree, and Inigo leans on the tree in despair - and, in so doing, triggers the mechanism to open the door.]]

** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'', it shows all treasure chests and the boss's location.** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', it shows all treasure chests and the boss's location.

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** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'', it shows all treasure chests and the boss's location.** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', From ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' onward, it shows all treasure chests and the boss's location.

* Phylacteries, in the ''Franchise/DragonAge'' universe, perform this function. Mages in the Circles of Magi are required to give a blood sample when they're first brought to a Circle, and should that mage escape or otherwise go missing, the Templars can use the phylactery containing their blood to find them.

* The compass is ubiquitous to ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' games. In the first games it only showed the boss's room or the room after that, but in later games it also showed unopened treasure chests and sometimes keys.

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* The compass is ubiquitous to ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' games. In It generally shows the first games location of all treasures in a dungeon as well as that of the boss.** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'' it only showed shows the boss's room.** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'', it shows the boss's room or as well as the room after that, but in later games main treasure of the dungeon.** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'', it shows all treasure chests, the boss's location, and also showed unopened causes a chime to sound when a key is located in the current room.** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'', it shows all treasure chests and sometimes keys.the boss's location.** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', it shows all treasure chests and the boss's location.

* Luigi's quest in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' revolves around one of these. According to Luigi, the face of the so-called Marvelous Compass was split into seven shards, and each shard points to the location of the next.

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* Luigi's quest in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'' revolves around one of these. According to Luigi, the face of the so-called Marvelous Compass was split into seven shards, and each shard points to the location of the next.

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* One item in ''VideoGame/{{Spelunky}}'' is a compass that points to the level exit when it's off-screen. It becomes incredibly useful in area 3 which consists almost entirely of rocks and ice hanging over the yawning abyss.* In ''VideoGame/RogueLegacy'' you can get a compass which points towards a very secret bonus chamber.

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